[[Tot Nut en Vermaak]] ("For Use and Entertainment"), Cape Town. This was the motto used by a [[Dutch]]-language amateur dramatic society sporadically active in the Cape from 1809 till 1819, then resurface in 1822 till 1836 (although it officially existed until 1839). It became active once more between 1842 to 1847.

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[[Tot Nut en Vermaak]] ("For Use and Entertainment"), was a motto used by a [[Dutch]]-language amateur dramatic society, sporadically active in the Cape from 1809 till 1819, then resurface in 1822 till 1836 (although it officially existed until 1839). It became active once more between 1842 to 1847.

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It recommenced its productions in 1822, performing in the [[African Theatre]] till the beginning of 1825, afterwards in [[De Liefhebbery Toneel]] (or [[The Amateur Theatre]]) in Hope Street, a venue which they had founded for the purpose, and continued as a company until 1839 when it sold all its possessions.

It recommenced its productions in 1822, performing in the [[African Theatre]] till the beginning of 1825, afterwards in [[De Liefhebbery Toneel]] (or [[The Amateur Theatre]]) in Hope Street, a venue which they had founded for the purpose, and continued as a company until 1839 when it sold all its possessions.

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In the period 1828 it began to work on musical pieces with [[Het Zuid-Afrikaansch Liefhebbery Muzyk Gezelschap]], apparently amalgamating with it in 1829 or shortly after, and taking on the cumbersome title of "Het Hollandsche Vereenigd Tooneellievend en Muzyk Gezelschap ''Tot Nut en Vermaak''".

Among its members mentioned in this time were [[J.G. Tredouw]], [[J.C. Gie]] and [[J.G. de Villiers]].

Among its members mentioned in this time were [[J.G. Tredouw]], [[J.C. Gie]] and [[J.G. de Villiers]].

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The company was active till the year 1836, then seemed to lose momentum. It continued to exist till 1839, but no performances were put omn. A combination of the religious ant0theatrical movement and possibly internal strife, leading to the loss of younger members, were a reason. Some of its members apparently transferred or even started to the new rival company [[Tot Oefening en Vermaak]].

In 1842 the company resurfaced once more, now at the [[Roeland Street Theatre]], now referred to as [[De Privaat Hollandsch Liefbebbery Schouwburg]], announcing an unnamed performance to be done. The following year the company was again performing regularly, in rivalry with [[Door Yver Vruchtbaar]]. Its secretary was one [[C.J.O. Werdmüller]] and among its players are mentioned messrs [[Mr Boonzaier]], [[Mr Combrink]], [[C. Spolander]], [[Mr Desvages]], [[Mr Wentzel]] , [[Mr Wannenburg]] and [[Mr Keytel]].

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However, by 1844 [[Tot Nut en Vermaak]] was done, and the two companies had joined forces , henceforth to be known as [[Tot Nut en Vermaak en Door Yver Vruchtbaar]], or sometimes referred to as [[Het Privaat Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap]] (“The Private Dutch Amateur Company”).

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This combined company would remain the only [[Dutch]] company active in the Cape until 1847.

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In 1842 resurfaced once more at the [[Roeland Street Theatre]] and by the following year was again performing regularly, in rivalry with [[Door Yver Vruchtbaar]], with which [[Tot Nut en Vermaak]] eventually joined forces in 1844, to be known either as [[Tot Nut en Vermaak en Door Yver Vruchtbaar]], or [[Het Privaat Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap]] (“Private Dutch Amateur Company”). This latter company remained the only Dutch company active in the Cape until 1847. Its secretary was one [[C.J.O. Werdmüller]] and among its players are mentioned messrs [[Mr Boonzaier]], [[Mr Combrink]], [[C. Spolander]], [[Mr Desvages]], [[Mr Wentzel]] , [[Mr Wannenburg]] and [[Mr Keytel]].

[[Jill Fletcher]]. 1994. ''The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930''. Cape Town: Vlaeberg.

[[Jill Fletcher]]. 1994. ''The Story of Theatre in South Africa: A Guide to its History from 1780-1930''. Cape Town: Vlaeberg.

Latest revision as of 09:18, 28 July 2017

Tot Nut en Vermaak ("For Use and Entertainment"), was a motto used by a Dutch-language amateur dramatic society, sporadically active in the Cape from 1809 till 1819, then resurface in 1822 till 1836 (although it officially existed until 1839). It became active once more between 1842 to 1847.

Contents

First period

Founded 1809. It contributed enormously to the Dutch amateur theatre and Cape theatricals in general. It was most likely a continuation of Tot Leering en Vermaak (1804). J.G. Tredouw was manager until 1826 and J.C. Gie was a leading member as well.

The years 1817 and 1818 constituted its most successful period. In this time it built its own theatre, under the guidance of J.C. Gie and W.A. Lacable and was very active on stage. For example, among the plays listed for 1818 are:

Second period

It recommenced its productions in 1822, performing in the African Theatre till the beginning of 1825, afterwards in De Liefhebbery Toneel (or The Amateur Theatre) in Hope Street, a venue which they had founded for the purpose, and continued as a company until 1839 when it sold all its possessions.

In the period 1828 it began to work on musical pieces with Het Zuid-Afrikaansch Liefhebbery Muzyk Gezelschap, apparently amalgamating with it in 1829 or shortly after, and taking on the cumbersome title of "Het Hollandsche Vereenigd Tooneellievend en Muzyk Gezelschap Tot Nut en Vermaak".

The company was active till the year 1836, then seemed to lose momentum. It continued to exist till 1839, but no performances were put omn. A combination of the religious ant0theatrical movement and possibly internal strife, leading to the loss of younger members, were a reason. Some of its members apparently transferred or even started to the new rival company Tot Oefening en Vermaak.